“What triggers my pain symptoms?”
Jeremy Allen, MD, medical director for American Family Care, Birmingham, Alabama, region recommends you keep a pain journal if your pain comes out of nowhere. So, put on a paper what you did and what could trigger your pain. “Even things as simple as a shift in your diet, a reduction in the amount or quality of sleep you get, or amount of stress you’re under can impact your level of pain,” says Dr. Allen.
“What is my diagnosis?”
Gus Crothers, MD, medical director of clinical personnel for Grand Rounds, says hang on: Pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. So, you need you’re in pain, but you need an opinion of the expert. “It is important to know that your doctor has a good understanding of the underlying cause of your pain,” says Dr. Crothers. “Without a correct diagnosis, it is difficult to prescribe the best treatment.” So, ask what your diagnosis is and if it isn’t clear, get a second opinion before taking any pain meds.
